John Rosebrock

John Rosebrock, the fifth child, was born in Germany on October 10, 1865, his parents being John Henry (b. June 30, 1830) and Anna Maria Cordes (b. April 9, 1892). The family lived near Eversen, Germany, and the other children were Henry, Anna, Christian, Friedrich, Sophia, and Catherine. John Henry supported his large family as a butcher and a roofer. After the death of Christian and Friedrich, the family came to America in August, 1882 and settled in Freedom Township. John Henry died January 1, 1902, and Anna died December 8, 1904. They are both buried at St. John Lutheran cemetery, Freedom Township.

On December 5, 1889, John Rose- brook married Maria Badenhop. She was born on December 6, 1866, the daughter of J. Henry (b. December 6, 1836) and Anna Elizabeth Held berg (b. July 27, 1834). The family lived near Jeddingen, Germany, but in 1869 the parents came to America with Maria who was only six months old and an older brother Henry C. Three other children, Herman H., Anna, and Emma were born here. The family settled in Freedom Township on what is now County Road U as farmers. Anna died May 1, 1888 and J. Henry died September 23, 1922. They are both buried at $t. John Lutheran Cemetery, Freedom Township. Maria's brother, Henry C., married John's sister Sophia, on April 11, 1890.

John and Maria lived in Freedom Township on what is now County Road S where John was a farmer. He also spent many cold winter days butchering for the family, neighbors, and friends. They had five children. Freida (b. October 14, 1890) married John Von Seggern (b. November 11, 1887) on January 27, 1921 and had three children, Ruth, Alma and Louis.

Carl (b. April 15, 1892) married Mary Gerken (b. April 5, 1898) on November 4, 1920 and had seven children: Hildegard, Laura, Eldor, Walter, Arnold, Marilyn and Lester.

Alma (b. August 31, 1894) died as a young woman on September 12, 1917.

Johannes (b. February 12, 1898) married Dorothy Gerken (b. April 24, 1901), a sister to Mary, on May 3, 1923, and had five children: Harold, Edwin, Mary Ann, Lucia and Lorna.

Helen (b. February' 16, 1904) married Theodore Meyer (b. December 12, 1903) on March 28, 1928, and had two daughters, Irma and Arlene.

The family was faithful members of St. John Lutheran Church, Freedom Township. John died September 24, 1923 and Maria died September 23, 1947. They are both buried at the church cemetery.

Submitted by: Mrs. Donald Maassel